Fun in the Sun in July!

July saw the beginning of the school summer holidays and the start of some of my longest stays yet! With one week back with my biggest group of dogs and welcoming many new groups as well, July was great for new beginnings. I also left my full time job this month to pursue pet sitting and drop ins full time and embark on a new adventure for myself! At home I have continued to support Nova through her hip replacement recovery and have welcomed 5 little bird eggs into our shed - I can't wait to see them hatch! My gorgeous puppy Ollie has completed his puppy class and has received his first rosette (of many hopefully!). We also had a very special birthday right at the end of the month! Read on to find out more!

Bonnie, Lulu, Margaux, Florence and Maple...

After their trial weekend in June, I was back for more! They just loved being cared for in their own home and still being able to run around the garden so their owners decided to use my services for a week away at the start of the month! Last time, Maple found a hedgehog on our final night together, this time she decided to hunt and catch a pigeon instead! Maple is once again absolutely fine - the pigeon not so much! In better news, the hedgehog was released after a full recovery at Pride Veterinary Centre. I can't wait to see them again next month and see what presents Maple brings me then!

The return of Lola...

Lola's owners also requested I return for drop ins whilst they went away in their campervan again. This was her first 'holiday' without her best friend Peter who sadly passed away since the last time I saw them. She was such a superstar and loved jumping around in the garden and not having to share any of her veggie snacks!

Baby birds incoming...

Some lovely little swallows decided to start building a nest on top of the light in the shed at the start of the month. Very shorty after we were so excited to see 5 spotty little eggs appear in the nest! Since then we have placed a camera at the nest so we can watch mama and papa bird sitting on the nest and hopefully we will be able to see them hatch soon! Keep your fingers crossed!

Bertie and Jasper...

Bertie and Jasper's owner was one of the first people to contact me back in February when I set this little business up! He is a teacher at a secondary school not too far away and had been asked to go on a few school trips but had no one to look after his gorgeous elderly dogs. He originally asked me for my advice on kennelling them but was reluctant due to their age, mobility issues and them being a little too accustomed to their life of lounging around and hadn't ever been kennelled in their 14 years of existence. We agreed that a drop in service would suit them much better and so we had a small trial week in July whilst their owner was on a school trip, ready for a longer holiday in the Summer - I cant wait to see them again soon!

Shanti, Spike and Alice...

We have known Shanti since her owners rescued her a few years ago and she used to come to us for regular grooming appointments when our Spa and Groom Room was up and running. Her owners mother owns Alice and Spike - also rescued and settled in very well at their home. With a family wedding abroad, their owners contacted me to do some pet sitting to keep the pups happy in their home and allowing them to snuggle into their own beds and have their zoomies in their garden. It was lovely curling up on the sofa with Alice reading a book and throwing toys for Shanti and Spike and having some lovely strolls in the local park as well.

One extra special birthday...

This month, Shadow celebrated his 15th birthday - we can't believe how time flies! Our Shadow is our eldest dog and the oldest one we have ever owned as well. He is partially deaf and a little wobbly on his back legs but he still loves to play football and fetch as if he were only 5 years old! Here's some photos of him after his annual birthday groom looking very fresh and cute with his birthday cake and hat!

Ollie the Collie...

Our gorgeous new addition Ollie has been attending puppy classes at Pawsitive Intentions throughout June and July to build his confidence around other dogs and increase his socialisation skills. He started the classes a little unsure and timid and would often show his fear through barking and panicking when other dogs came near. In the final week of his puppy classes, Ollie didn't react negatively to other dogs at all and even managed to attend a Life Skills Class later in the month to test his learning with 4 older dogs and still managed to 'keep his cool'. Look at my superstar with his rosette and certificate (we hope there will be many more where this came from!) - he was pretty sleepy afterwards on the ride home!

New Adventures...

One huge change this month was leaving my full time job as a Biology Teacher to run this little business full time instead! It was lovely to be able to end my teaching career after 3 years at the school I once attended as a student and after 6 years in teaching. As well as opening up the opportunity to take this business full time, it's also allowed me to be more flexible with my work and help out at the kennels more. I am hoping to complete a Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour and a Level 5 Qualification in Animal Care over the next year or so to expand my services and expertise even further - watch this space!

An update on Nova the Robo-dog...

Back in June, Nova (the bestest girl in the whole wide world) had her first Total Hip Replacement surgery. She has managed to cope with her recovery really well and has started to rely on the sling much less. She is starting her physiotherapy again next month and we are waiting on her Xray results later in the month to start hydrotherapy again. Her incision site is now healed and her hair is beginning to grow back. I'll keep you all updated on her progress as she recovers over the next few months.

As you can see, July brought back a lot of previous friends and a lot of new ones too! It marked the start of some new beginnings as well and saw the end of Nova's crate rest in sight! Roll on August!!

Alix

Fur Your Convenience